MATCH REPORTS

Final Game 2006

As I said on the day I really wasn't prepared to end the season just yet, but that's the way it goes.........we had our chance in the second quarter, 2 goals up and with that wind, we should have put them away and we didn't, I probably over did it at half time, but I wanted the boys to know I was not happy. It didn't work and we lost, as you could see I was really disappointed along with many others.

What disappoints me most of all is that we should have won and didn't, you don't get many chances to play in a grand final, some may never get the another opportunity, we were good enough but we didn't take the chance, when it was there.

Our first quarter was really good, kicking against the wind should have kicked 2 or 3 goals again the opportunities were there....... we made poor choices and kicked points that should have been goals.

I won't go into fine detail but we stuffed up, maybe it was the pressure of the finals. The game was there for the taking, all it would take was 2 or 3 goals, and from there they would really struggle to catch us. This to me was by far the most disappointing quarter, we squandered the ball kicked to pockets, dropped marks, missed simple targets. I know they didn't mean too, but when your 2 goals up with a 3 goal wind advantage we should have done better. We didn't they did and we went in at half time with the scores level.

I may have made a mistake putting Dylan at CHF for half the 3rd quarter and stacking the backline, but all you need to do is give him a chance and a bit of space, 1 or 2 goals would have done it. But the ball didn't come, we worked it up the ground several times only to turn it over. The backline were good, they kicked 2 goals we kicked 1, I was happy with that, it would have been nice to be in-front, but we were still in a position to win. 8pts down with that wind we should still win........they kicked the first 2 goals and the rest is history.

It was all over, there would be no grand final this year.

Kew are a good team, they ran hard, didn't make the mistakes we made and with 2 big guys made it really hard to win the ball ups, they in the end they deserved there win, they had to come from behind, a great effort by them.

I think a lot of us got ahead of ourselves thinking that we were going to win, Helen warned me all week, I knew we could loose but I was still confident, when we were 2 goals up I thought we had them, maybe the players did too!

As much as it was disappointing we have come a long way, loosing actually teaches you more than winning everytime., I personally gained more, I've learnt a lot. I know that I'm a much better coach now than I was at the start of the year.

On a Brighter note:

Overall the year has been fantastic, we achieved more than I expected, we played some great football, I believe the boys and parents have really enjoyed themselves. It really should be about having fun, but football is a hard game, some times you get hurt sometimes wet and cold, but when I was a boy there was nothing I liked better than to play. (Not sure if I've really changed).

I'm proud of the boy's, there were some times I thought I was loosing them a bit, but there kids and footy isn't the only thing happening in there lives. Part of the reason I took the job on in the first place was to give them a chance, not only to achieve something in football, but to know that if they work at something, school, sport anything they can improve and make a difference. If I have in some way given them a bit more confidence in themselves and what they can achieve, then I'm wrapped. I know I've made mistakes, I knew that I would, but I've had nothing but kind words and support from all involved.

The parent group has been brilliant, to see you all there enjoying the kids is terrific, I can't think of anything better than watching your kids, the single most important thing in our lives challenging themselves, achieving and loving it!

Enough from me.........see you at presentation day!

Rod

Match Report First Final Ever

Ok, so we failed at the first attempt, we played poorly and they played well, all we can do now is make sure it does not happen this week You know before the game through the week I couldn't decide whether it was better to loose or win, I chose winning as the best option (actually I wanted to win and win well). So its option 2, a least we know what standard of play is required if we are to progress to the Grand Final… but we can and need too lift. There are so many areas we can improve on, it really was an ordinary start from us, 4 goals to 1p that just wasn't good enough, we needed to stop them scoring we needed to stop them in the centre, we had too many loose across the ground, its ok when your winning the ball, but when your not you have to tighten up, we didn't do this well enough. OK well at least we know now! We did have our good patches the 3rd quarter was the Fitzroy I know, we started to run the ball and outscore them, gave ourselves a chance, we kicked 3 but could of easily had 5, you have to kick goals when you get the chance, we didn't, lets call it first finals nerves. But we are experienced now, I know its only one final but you learn, we all learn and we still have a chance.

Ok so where to now, well we need to beat Kew, we can do it, we will be better this week, we simply have no choice, play better or it's mad Monday (not sure what kids do on mad Monday go to school I guess)

Yeah, I know it was disappointing not to win, but it's been a great year to date, better than I expected, its been great for me and I believe the kids..........we are not finished yet!!

Not that many good players this week, but some worth a mention:

Will Bates: continued on from last week, really tried hard, some great running and brave contesting, well done Batesy keep it up!

Bobby: did OK tried hard, chased, did his job!

David: for a bloke who had been in bed all week, I reckon he was faking it, gutsy big fella!

Simon: again has been sick for nearly 2 weeks, but has played 2 great games, well done again Simon.

Indri: first half ordinary, but really started to get his game going in the second half, some real aggression and great play.

Ned: first half ordinary, when put down back played well.

I know all of you tried and there were great individual efforts, but the game has 4 quarters not 2, we must win this week, last chance!

Cheer up......... I have a Plan!

Rod

Match Report Game 16

Fitzroy 1 16 142 2 838 456 183.8 56

Camberwell B 16 13 3 815 470 173.4 52

Kew Rovers W 16 10 6 786 451 174.3 40

Camberwell W 16 8 8 625 561 111.4 32

So there it is after 16 games we won 14, lost 2, scored more than any other team we're the second best as far as being scored against, we have the best percentage and won more games than any other team...........a sensational effort!

We showed again that when challenged we could lift. Glen Iris's first quarter today was good (they are much better than a bottom team), they ran in packs, tackled really hard and put a lot of pressure on us, but as soon as we started running you could see them tailing off.

The second quarter- after you got a blast from me- was one of our best for the year and won the game. The great thing is we didn't stop and think how good is this? We kept going and going, just what a good team does.

The fact is when we run together, back up, shepherd and smother we ARE the best in our grade. The downside is when we play loose, don't tackle, don't talk and don't play as a team we can and will be beatable.

I thought today's effort like last week showed that we are a great team - we have some players who are better than others, but as a team we know what each of us can do and as long as each of you do everything you can to make the team play better, we will be a winning team.

This week is important to us – two full training sessions and one solid hour of football and we get a chance to be premiers. I might even go soft on you next week!!

Special Mentions:

Will Bates: a terrific 50th game by Will, kicked our first goal and with a great handball to Nathan L was involved in the second, he played well all day. Great work Batesy!

Bobby: great goal- should have been three; we must hold those marks- great work to get into position and a reward for your efforts all year

David: what a great run in the last quarter! Inspirational for us and demoralizing to the opposition. Another great game

Dylan L: another great game and shrugged off the compliment of a double tag to kick 3 goals when I thought I was giving him a rest up forward!

James; good work around the ground and in defence when we needed your marking and strong play.

Nathan L: lovely work all over the forward line- marked well and ran well- I reckon you have kicked enough points for this year-goals from now on!

Indri: ran hard all day again, got lots of kicks (some worse than others) tagged well when asked to. Your ability to find others with passes is great

Mike: as usual our wall, but today your delivery was almost 100% and found more length- as always a great contributor

Cosmo: as usual some great tackles and rewarded with free kicks-another who inspires us all.

Simon: despite missing training with the flu another outstanding game- your contribution since moving to the backline has been invaluable and will be a key to winning the flag

Jake: as usual Jake you did your job almost to perfection (I DID see the dropped mark!!)

Louis: the mark was telling but the chase was even better notwithstanding you didn't catch him- hard work this week and the next two Louis, we need you mobile.

Now for the finals!

Cheers Rod & Jeff G

MATCH REPORT ROUND 15

Two games to go, one game clear, playing a team we beat earlier in the year and we had a decent wind behind us -“no probs” or so we thought. The opening 8 minutes were dominated by Beverly Hills and we were lucky they didn't have 3 goals on the scoreboard before we decided to get in front and contest.

Having said that the next three quarters and a bit were amongst the best we've played all year. The way we ran together and backed up, plus the smothers-two from Indri and one from Simon- were both gutsy and invaluable to the team. We ran away from the opposition because we keep going and going and going- the benefits of hard work at training!

As usual Dylan L was, or seemed to be everywhere, under packs, over packs and giving the opposition the “run around” but Mike Matters also did a great one in the last quarter! When we opened up the forward line as Rod asked we scored quickly and efficiently- although we really should aim to kick more goals than points from now on!!

In the second and last quarters we followed rod's directions to use the dead side and look for passes to take it forward and we kept them scoreless while having lots of forward movements. The way we used the ball and worked together in the 3 rd quarter with the wind was a delight to watch.

We won't mention Louis's grubber kick but David's leading from full forward and his follow ups were great to see- pity we didn't deliver it more accurately more often. We will mention Cosmo's running at the ball and his tackling and Nathan L's great work up forward and as always Jake's excellent marshalling of the backline

Other special mentions:

Mike Matters- played despite having very sore foot, great game and still our one man “wall” when he wasn't on the back line but we need more players in the wall to make it impassable.

James- another great game- good initiative always hard at the ball and reliable overhead and never stops running

Bobby- good tackling, good shepherding close minding of your opponent and great efforts all day

Dean – should not have played because of illness but did a great job and helped make forward line work as well as it did

Cal- always reliable, good work around the packs and great “running with” player from start to finish

Simon- too late for the photo but not for another strong game in defence where he shuts down his man and then provides drive into the forward line

Indri- another who should not have played (but who was prepared to tell him? certainly not me)- nice delivery to leads on the forward line, great smothers and kept making position and running (even when told to slow down)

Harris- tried in the ruck for the first time and against a giant of a kid to start with – did well around the ground and a great example as a spoiler- we need more of it.

Ned- good work again Ned- good hands and nice use of your body- its good to see our bigger players letting their opponents know we're here to play.

As Rod said after the game “…one month of football to go “– lets make it a winning month and bring the last line of the club song true!!

Cheers Jeff G.

MATCH REPORT ROUND 13

A serious hit out today, we had something to prove, Hawthorn Cits beat us the first time around, and the boys knew they would be hard to beat. I didn't have any doubt what so ever, I knew that we would win, we are a much better team now, than we were when we played them the first time.

13 games of experience at the top makes a big difference, not only for them, but for me as well, they know they have to play the game out, 2 or 3 quarters just is not good enough, especially when you are playing a good team. We have been challenged that many times early in the year (a lot were our own fault) because we did not work hard enough and gave opposition a chance.........not, any more... not if we can help it!

I thought our game today was sloppy (with the exception of Dylan L and Nathan F). We dropped marks, missed targets with our kicks and fumbled the ball. This makes it really hard to play a possession type of game, if you miss a target or fumble they get a chance to hold the game up, or take the ball away, the same if you drop a mark.

These 2 areas have been our strong points, running the ball from back to forward without giving the opposition a chance. We simply tossed it up far to often and therefore didn't dominate the game like we should have (although there were still some great passages of play). What was great about the win is that even those we played poorly we were able to still come away we a good win, even if your skills are not up to scratch, you can still run, you can still apply pressure. We all have bad days even the best players have bad days, but you can still contribute to the team, tackles and shepherds etc are done through hard work, not through great skill.

Not that we can take anything away from HC, I don't think they have the talent we do, but they used the ball well, applied plenty of pressure, it was never going to be easy!

2 more games to go before the finals, we must win both to hold top spot, if we can do that we get the second chance. If we manage to win the first final we will be in the grand final, hard to believe but that's only 5 weeks away all going to plan.

5 weeks is all we have to do as much as we can to be ready, these opportunities do not come along very often, let give it our best shot!

Special Mentions:

Simon: Simon's work in the backline has been excellent lately, his tackling is first rate; he puts a lot of pressure on the opposition week after week, well done Simon.

Nathan F: Nathan F is really starting to find his confidence, in the last couple of weeks he has been playing really well, he leads, marks well and kicks well, Nathan has grown a lot this year, and is now one of the bigger boys, keep up the good work you will play a big part in the finals.

David H: Another good game in the ruck, won nearly every tap out, he was also great around the ground marking strongly.

James H: Like David his ruck work was fantastic giving the midfield boy's plenty of chances to go forward.

Haris: Another great game from Haris, saves us time after time, well done big fella.

Dylan L: Dylan's first half today was as good as you will see, strong contested marks, 2 goals, long strong kicking, smothered the ball and ran someone down from behind, worth paying money to see, BOG today.

Jake: Jake controls the backline; he is ever reliable, saves goals every week and did so again this week, well done LL.

Dylan R: Should of had a couple of goals today, he dropped one mark and wasn't paid another that he clearly took, Dylan continues to improve weekly, keep it up!

Bobby: As I said on the weekend Bobby has also improved out of sight, he is really hard on himself, but I can see the difference he is working hard at training and it's showing on game day

Sam: A great last quarter Sam, some really great efforts stopped the opposition in there tracks. Well done Sam.

5 weeks to go and it will be all over; lets make the best of it!!!!

Cheers Rod

MATCH REPORT ROUND 12

A much better game today............... last week I struggled to find 5 good players, this week I can't think of anyone who didn't play well, a great overall contribution. The first half was not brilliant, but had we kicked straight we would have had a handy lead by half time, 2 goals 8 is just not good enough. Poor kicking gives the opposition a chance and the better teams will make you pay for it. Believe it or not after half time Balwyn didn't score (Great work done back by jake and his men!) we totally dominated the game kicking a further 6 goals, 4(which should have been 8 goals 2 at least.

In the second half our superior speed, ball handling and team work really took over, we had players running to space all over the ground, I also think they stopped, once your behind its hard to keep chasing, that's why we need to make sure we kick goals not points. Some of the teamwork today was particularly good, some great vision as well spotting up players not just bombing it forward when your under pressure.

There were to many good players this week to name them all, it would be great to have the same situation next week!

Special Mentions:

Will Bate: Some really nice work in the back line, great sheparding and a terrific pass to Indri I think, when he could have just blazed away.

Josh: Missed you after the game Josh, you were particularly good today, applying pressure and with a couple of really nice marks, well done Josh keep working on it.

Indri: maybe his best game for the year, in space all day which is par for the course for Indri, but his use of the ball today was brilliant, he really hurt them with great kicking and vision, well done Indri BOG today!

Alex: Another good game for you today Alex, for someone who has played most of his football in the backline I think you belong in the forward line some really great work today.

Cosmo: I think Cosmo is really enjoying his football, obviously a crowd favourite judging by the reaction after the game, 3 great tackles in the last quarter were fantastic, well done!

David: A great second half David your ruck work was exceptional today your fitness, strength finally won out, your marking was terrific and kicking much better today.

Dylan: A sharp shooter today with a lazy 4 goals, not bad when the team only kicks 8, not to mention a great contested mark in the second quarter.

Haris: One of the teams big improvers was really pleased with himself after the game, puts real pressure on the opposition, punches, backs up and sheppards a great team player........well done Haris.

Nathan L: Could have been a real ripper if you had kicked straight 6 points to half time imagine if they were goals, but you still have to get the ball to kick points, so well done Nath.

Not many games to go now before the finals, keep up the good work, it makes my week when I hear that song........... go Lions!

cheers Rod

MATCH REPORT ROUND 11

10 and 1, you would have to say we are going alright………… the really good thing about today and last week is that we are finishing games, we are running from start to finish not giving the opposition a chance, that's the sign of a good team. Only with a team effort can this be done, Bundoora challenged us in the first round, but were no match for us today, its great to see the boy's hard work paying off!

We are so much better now than we were last time we met (our first official game of the year). Our teamwork, skills and fitness have all improved, the way we run the ball, the sheparding etc (I know, I know I sound like a broken record) but it's true.

Where to from here, well don't get carried away....we have a big challenge ahead this week, second on the ladder and a chance to go 3 games clear, again they will fancy themselves, they will think they can beat us, we only just scrapped home last time. We will need to be at our best again and not give them a chance, just like today.

Believe it or not as much as we have improved this year there is still plenty room to get better, for example today we kicked 13points, at least 5 of them were straight forward and should have been goals. Our kicking generally was poor, we missed targets consistently, and we went forward on at least 5 occasions in the first quarter alone and did not score. What we did well, was not turn the ball over, where the opposition consistently did and like Surrey Park last week the turn over's killed them.

Special efforts this week.

Haris: Haris in the first quarter was fantastic, saving us on several occasions, running down an opposition player and earning a free kick, an inspirational effort. He was so good down back that I had to leave him there in the 3rd quarter just to make sure they didn't get a run on, well done Haris.

Alex: I'm not sure if I mentioned Alex after the game, I hope I did, in the 3rd quarter Alex was hurt and Danny went out to take him off, but he toughed it out and stayed on the ground, a gutsy effort. He then went on to win the ball on 2 occasions and shoot for goal, nailing one of them….. Well done Alex, a great goal, another team lifting effort!

Michael: Have we found another full forward, this week I gave Michael the opportunity to play half the game at full forward, he is a tall player with great hands, he took 2 great marks and although he didn't kick the goals (they were not easy) I was really impressed with his efforts.

Jake: Full back or goal sneak, Jake is probably one of those players who can play anywhere, I watched him play for his school team a couple of weeks ago where he kicked a couple of goals in a mater of minutes. He proved it was no fluke nailing one, when up forward for 1 quarter today.

Bobby: As far as I know Bobby has never kicked a goal, but I could be wrong, he took the opportunity today and slotted one through, it was great to see. As much as I enjoyed Bobby kicking the goal, what really impressed me were his efforts when he didn't have the ball, running at full pace chasing and putting pressure on the opposition a great sign of a committed player, keep it up Bobby!

Indri: One player who knows where to find space, as I said today if the opposition ever work Indri out (to be honest I doubt it would matter) Indri is really fit and runs all day. He runs to space and gives us the loose man option time after time; well done Indri if you kicked straight you could have had 3! By the way Indri played well as our representative in the Yarra league game, which just shows he is as good as anyone in the comp.

In general: Look there were plenty of great players today, a great team effort, we continue to improve. With only 5 weeks to go now before the final make sure you get to training, not only to practice your skills and fitness, but so that you know what we are doing as a team.

A win this week will see us 3 games clear and the best percentage in the comp, no room for complacency, this is it's a must win game!

MATCH REPORT ROUND 10

Today we came to play, for the first time this year we played 4 quarters of football; today we played like a top team. It was a pleasure to watch, no heart stopper finishes this week.

Prior to the game and through the week at training I told the boys that it's time we stepped things up, we need to get fitter and better so that we can finish games off, not just get over the line. We need to dominate games from start to finish and for the first time this year we did it, we saw a team that was not only going to play finals, but could go all the way.

The overall effort, teamwork and support for each other was outstanding, we ran in two's and three's just like an AFL club. The sheparding, passing of the ball by hand, and by foot was the best I seen all year. A team that works together with numbers at the ball will wear the opposition down, if we are at them everytime they get the ball, if we put them under pressure, they will turn the ball over and that's what we want. Surrey Park won a lot of the ball, but blind kicking or poor disposal due to our pressure meant they turned it over time after time.

As good as we were today, we can still get a lot better, the better teams will not let us have it all our way. That's where training comes in, we have only six more games before the finals, six more weeks to improve and get fitter so that when we get there we are ready. Our next game will be a real test Bundoora will throw everything at us; we will need to play well to beat them.

Special efforts today:

Nathan F – Goes under the radar, but is one of teams big improvers, he is a good kick, and handball, he can play anywhere, like he did today, well done Nathan keep up the good work.

David H – David has added some real grunt to his game, he is rucking really well, his high level of fitness allows him to run all day, his marking is also great, (a bit of work on the kicking) but played really well today.

Nathan L – Kicked 3 or 4 today, but could have had 6, if he held a couple of marks late in the game, I'm sure I don't need to tell him that……. (Nathan loves a goal), Nathan judges the ball really well, which allows him to take marks where you wouldn't think he could, top game Nathan.

Dean – Another player who has really improved, links up on the wing has a great mark and good all round skills. But he still wants to play on the forward line (as do most of the team) maybe next game, well done another good game!

Bobby – I really wanted Bobby to kick that goal, Bobby lacks a bit of confidence at this stage, but is a much better player now than he was at the start of the year and will continue to get better, keep up the good work Bobby!

Riki – Another big improver, Riki is loving his footy, plays the game hard but fair, well done on another top game lefty!

Calum, Dylan, Indri, James and Mike – these boys are the engine room of the team, they play well every week and give there all, well done yet again.

Everyone – Well done today a big pat on the back for you all!

Hey, it good to be on top, I think I like it, lets make sure we stay there, for those who are not going away training will be as normal.

One last thing:

Indri is playing in an inter league game on Sunday, it would be nice to have some team support, the game is at 10.30 am Bulleen Park No 1. Oval

Sorry one more:

Check out the http://www.fitzroyjuniorfc.com.au/ home page we star this week.

MATCH REPORT ROUND 9

A great start yet again, a good 3 to 4 goal brake in the first quarter only to squander it yet again and win by a narrow 4 points, (its all part of the plan you know………..aaaahhhh not!). As silly as it may seem I always thought that we would win, look at it this way, your in front until your behind, so as long as were in front were fine?? If that makes any sense.

We really should have put the game beyond Camberwell's reach (they will still believe they can beat us) (along with many others). We missed far to many goals that should have been kicked, last week we dropped marks, this week we marked well, but kicked poorly. 5 goals 10 was our score, when it should have been 10 goals 5, if that was the case, we would never have been challenged.

To the team's credit we sure know how to scrap and fight to win (we have had plenty of practice), our last quarter effort again was fantastic. I still don't no why we drop away, if it was our fitness/work rate they would have run over us, but we fight it out every week.

Across the board we didn't have as many good players, as we did the week before but we still had some great players and highlights:

Will Bate- The medal winner for the day, played a really solid game, maybe his best for the year, he really put his body on the line, ran straight at the ball all day…well done Will.

Simon – A fantastic smother and tackle, the past 2 weeks Simons endeavour has been excellent.

Michael – Worked really hard in the ruck and around the ground when we needed him, well done Michael.

Dylan L – A fantastic game today, (really showed his class) marked really well, his strength gives the team enormous drive, good to see him back in town.

Riki – You got to love the way Riki goes about it, he hits the ball and the opposition with all he's might, well done lefty.

Dean - Another great game on the wing, continues to hold his marks and link up across the ground, keep it up Deano.

Ned – First time up forward for a while, Ned continues to improve, hit Riki on the chest, which allowed him to goal, well done Ned.

Calum – the most improved player in the team, gives the team drive in the midfield and in the forward line, keep it up Cal.

In General

We are now 8 wins from 9 games, hard to believe really………. some have been close but it takes guts and determination as well as ability to win the close ones, a great effort. I think the boys are really enjoying themselves, I suspect the parents are too!